From 05th to 07th July 2012, the National University of Rwanda (NUR) hosted an international Symposium on Antimalarial Traditional Herbal Medicines and Analysis of Toxics and Drugs. This symposium gathered participants from Belgium led by The Ambassador of Belgium in Rwanda, His Excellency Marc Pectsteen, The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.

The NUR Rector, Prof. Silas Lwakabamba while addressing participants of the mentioned symposium commended the Kingdom of Belgium for their support through the Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC) and CIUF /CUD interuniversity project. This support enables NUR to come to the positive impact of the results on the large community of Rwanda and its neighbors. He said,“CIUF and CUD interuniversity project allows the transformation of the NUR Laboratory of Analysis of Water, Food, Drugs and Toxics for its efforts (LADAMET) into a fully equipped laboratory which is a very important tool for NUR teaching applied research and service to improve health of the national and regional population”.

The Ambassador of Belgium in Rwanda, His Excellency Marc Pecsteen while solemnizing the opening ceremony of the symposium promised to continue its support in several sectors including the ones which are in relationship with NUR such as Health and Education. Ambassador Pecsteen clarified that last year the government of Belgium signed a four year agreement with the government of Rwanda to intervene in the progress of several activities like Health, Energy and Decentralizaation.

During this symposium, there were presentations on different subjects of pharmacy area such as investigation on African plants traditionally used to treat Malaria, antiprotozoal activity of plants traditionally used in Rwanda, why and how to control the quality of medicinal plants, etc.

Dr Raymond Muganga informed participants that his ongoing research on antiprotozoal activity of plants demonstrated the results which may prove the possibility of treating malaria using available traditional plants.

During the closing ceremony, Prof. Verdiana Grace Masanja, NUR Director of Research on behalf of the NUR Rector, thanked the symposium stakeholders and participants. At this occasion she also called upon NUR students to be familiar with research culture.

NUR Rector addressing participants during the opening Ceremony

Ambassador of Belgium in Rwanda during the opening ceremony

Participants exploring Laboratory of Analysis of Water, Food, Medicines,Drugs and Toxics(LADAMET)

Participants receiving Recognition certificates at the closing Ceremony

Participants posing for a photo

By Jean Baptiste Micomyiza